Stamp-affixing and envelop-sealing machine.



F. R. S. DITIVIARS.

STAMP AFFIXING AND ENvELoP SEALING MACHINC APPLICATION FILED IUNE 1. 1918.

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` F. a. amm/ms. STAMP FFIXING AND NVELOP SEALING MACHINE.

APPLlCATlOu FILED )UNE I. 1918.

,Patented Ap?. 29, 1919.

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narra FREDERICK R. S. DITMARS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR IO CLARK MAILING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

STAMP-AFIEIXING AND ENVELOP-SEALING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 29, 1919.

Substitution for application Serial No. 759,969, filed April 9, 1913. This application filed J'une 1, 1918.

Serial No. 237,695.

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK R. S. DIT- iuAus, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Aiiixing and Envelop- Sealing Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to and embodies the automatic operations included in the feeding from a stack of envelops each one in successive order, whereby the Hap and right-hand corner of the envelop is moistened, the stamp aiiiXed to the envelop and the envelop sealed and discharged from the machine automatically, the invention being an improvement upon the stampailixing and envelop-sealing machine for which Letters Patent were granted to me on September 9, 1913, No. 1072585, and is a substitution of the invention as applied for under date of April 9, 1913, Serial No. 759969.

The objects of the invention are:

First to eect a feeding movement upon the lowermost envelop in a stack toward the feeding devices on the bed of the machine, inthe reciprocal movement of the envelop feeding carriage.

Second, to retard the envelop from a backward movement when removed from the machine. Y a

Third, to simplify the mechanism for governing the rotary movement o f the main driving shaft, automatically, during the interim in which the wire top feeding devices cease to act.

Fourth, to numerically indicate the number of stamps affixed to envelops.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, such as will be first fully described and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1. is a plan view of the envelopfeeding envelop-moistening stamp-feeding and stamp-aflixing machine, embodying the invention.

Fig. 2. is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of the machine, taken on the line a', on Fig. 1.

Fig. 3. is a broken view, in elevation, of the portion of the side of the machine, upon its left-hand side and forward end, showing the main driving shaft in section, and the large gears operated thereby, the envelop-sealing rollers and the rotary shaft actuating the reciprocating envelop carriage, also showing the mechanism controlling the movement of the said devices when the last envelop to be stamped is discharged from the machine.

Fig. 4. is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the machine, taken at its forward end, and upon the line y, y, on Fig. 1, show ing the stamp-feeding and stamp-aliixing devices, also showing the main driving shaft of the machine, and the power-transmitting devices thereon.

Fig. 5. is a broken, longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of a portion of the machine, at its forward end and in the direction of the right-hand side of the machine, the section being taken on the line e, e, on Fig. 1, showing the stamp-feeding and aiiixing devices, the latter being in section, also showing the yielding plate beneath the stampaflixing devices and the envelop-sealing rollers.

Fig. 6. is a side view of a portion of the end of the rotary shaft actuating and in direct connection with the stamp-feeding and stamp-aiiiXing devices, and of the end in the direction of the left-hand side of the machine, showing the automatic clutchwheel and clutch, and the large gear-wheel on said shaft, in section.

Fig. 7. is an outer side view of the clutchwheel, a portion of the front plate being broken away, to show the clutch-plate and slot.

Fig. 8. is a detail, broken view of the inner surface and forward end portion of the side plate to the frame on the righthand side of the machine, showing the envelop-moistening box, the main driving shaft in section, and the mechanism actuated thereby, for imparting a reciprocal upward and downward movement thereto.

Fig. 9. is an isometric view of the transvverse plate of the forward end portion of the frame of the machine, carrying the stamp plate and the stamp-feeding device, the covering plate being broken away, also showing the strip of perforated, stamp material.

Fig. 10 is a transverse, sectional view of the stamp-supporting feed plates, and the stamp-feeding devices, taken immediately forward the operating bar.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the gures of the drawings.

The frame of the machine as seen in the drawings, to which reference is now made, is rectangular in form. The frame consists of the longitudinallyextended, parallel side-plates, 12, 12, arranged the requisite distance apart, and of the proper' length to support in their positions the envelop-feeding and sealing and the stamp-feeding and aflixing mechanism.

The portions of the side plates 12, 12, at their rear 'ends are narrow in width, the upper surfaces of said sides extending in a horizontal pl'ane to a point 12X, intermediate the ends of'said sides, from which point the forward portions of the side-plates 12, 12 extend upwardly an increased distance in excess of the width of the rear ends of said sides. From the lower portions of the side plates 12, 12, at points short distances inwardly from the respective forward and rear ends, extend downwardly the legs 13 and 14:, respectively, these legs beine` an integral part of the sides 12 and 12.

The side plates l2, 12', which are spaced apart the requisite distance for the feeding of envelops of the maximum length,` are connected together by the forward T angle beams 15, and the rear, horizontal plate 16, respectively. The forward T angle beam is provided with vertical flanges or portions 15, on its end in the direction of the inner surface and right-hand side 12, of the ma.- chine, which is connected by the bolts 15X, with said side at a point at right. angles to a vertical line passing through the legs 13, and upon a line with the lower surface of said side 12. At the other end of the T beam, in the direction of the inner surface of the side plate 12, at a point a short distance inwardly from the line of said surface, the beam is bent at right angles and extended downwardly a slight distance below the line of the vertical web 16 of the beam 15, thence bent at right angles at 16', and extended to the inner surface of said sides 12, thence bent at right angles, as at 16;, and the terminal portion 16X secured by rivets to the inner surface of said sides, thereby forming between the two points of bending 16 and16*, a recess 17 Upon the inner surface of the side 12. of the frame of the machine, a short distance above the beam 15, and in a vertical line with the web 16 is a terminal bearing 1S, in which is journaled one end of the main driving-shaft 20, of the machine, the other end ofwhich shaft extends transversely to and through the other side 12', of the frame, and a short distance beyond the line of the outer surface of said side, and upon said end is rearwardlysecured by the pin 2lX a crank-arm 21, having a handle 22.

Upon shaft 20, adjacent to the inner surface of theside plate 12, of the frame, is mounted a gear-wheel 23, which extends within the recess 17, formed within the terminal portion of the T beam 15. Upon the beam 15, a short distance from an intermediate point on said beam from the sides 12, 12, of the frame, and in the direction of the side 12, is cast or secured a bracket 24, which extends rearwardly from the rear surface of the web 16, a short distance, and thence bent at an angle and extended upwardly andv inclined rearwardly at 25, for the purpose further explained.

Upon the upper surface of the beam 15, a short dista-nce from the line of the bracket 24, toward the side-plate 12 of the frame, is mounted a shaftsupport 26, through the upper end of which support the rotary shaft 20 extends. Upon the shaft 20, adjacent to the side of the support 26, toward the sideplate 12, of the frame of the machine, is ixedly mounted a bevel gear-wheel 27.

28 indicates the lower sealing roller for sealing the envelope, the journals 29, of which are journaled in the sides 12, 12 of the frame of the` machine, at points short distances forwardly of the rotary-shaft 20, and upon a horizontal line with said shaft. The forward ends 120, of the side plates 12, 12', are cut away upon an angle inwardly inclined to the horizontal lines of the upper and lower surfaces of said sides, and in said inclined end-portions in an approximate verA tical line with the journal 29, of the roller 28, are cut the vertical slots 30, in which are inserted the journals 31X, of the upper sealing roller 31, the depth of the slots permitting the upper roller 31, which as shown is about twoethirds the diameter of the sealing roller 28 to bear upon the roller 28, with the force of its gravity.

Upon the journal 29, of the large sealing roller 28, is a small gear-wheelf32, which meshes with the large gear-wheel 23, on the main driving shaft 20. The sealing rollers are preferably made of hard rubber, and suchas is usually employed, and therefore do not need further description.

Extending in transverse direction of the frame of the machine, and immediately above the rear portipn of the sealing roller 23, is a transverse bar, 33, the upper surface of which bar is slightly above a line horizontal with the points of contact of the peripheral portions of the upper and lower sealing rollers. One end of the bar 33 is secured rigidly to the inner surface of the side-plate 12, of the frame of the machine.

:useable The other end extends to within a short distance of the inner face of the gear-wheel 23, and with said end is connected a bracket 34, one portion connected therewith extends forwardly past the line of the periphery of saidv gear-wheel, and is there bent at right angles, and the other portion connected rigidly with the inner surface of the side 12 of said frame.

The bed or table supporting the envelops in their movement in the direction of the sealing rollers consists of a series of longitudina1ly-extended slats 35, arranged horizontally in position and at equal distances apart between the side-plates 12, 12', of the frame of themachine. The forward ends of the plate are securedrigidly to the 'upper surface of the transverse bar 33, the

rear ends of said slats extending rearwardly a distance about two-thirds from the forward end of the frame of the machine and are rigidly connected `with a transverse bar 36 (see Fig. 1), which is connected at its ends with the inner surfaces and sideplates of the frame of the machine, at points a slight distance below a horizontal line extending through the bar 33 (see Fig. 2) thus depressing the rear ends of the slats, for the purpose further described.v

Secured rigidly to the inner surfaces of the side plates 12, 12, at points a short distance downwardly from a horizontal line extending through the transverse bar 33, are the horizontal guide or track bars 37, which extend from points a considerable distance rearwardly from a vertical line extending through the openings in the side plates 12, 12, for the main drivingshaft 20, and rearwardly to the line of the rear end of the said sides.

Transverse `bars 39 are spaced apart a considerable distance and provided with rollers 38 at their respective ends, which rollers are mounted `on the track bars 37. Vith the bars 39, at a point near the ends of said bars, are connected the longitudinal bars 40, which, together with the bars 39, form the reciprocating envelop-feeding frame of the machine. With the upper surface and rear ends ofthe bars 40 are connected by the 4screws 41 the forward end of' a horizontal envelop-supporting plate 42, which extends in width approximately from a vertical line taken on the inner surface of one track bar 37, on the side plate 12, to a vertical line drawn on the inner surface of the track bar 37, on the side plate 12, and in length about one-third longer than the bars 40, with which said'plate is connected, thus permitting a complete reciprocating movement of the envelop-feeding frame and plate, within the limits of the side-plates 12 and 12', of the frame of the machine. y The rear end of the plate 42 is connected tion of the plate 42 is bent in with the upper surface of a transverse bar 43, upon the ends of which bar are the small rollers 44, ,which move in rotation upon the track-bars 37, on the side plates 12, 12, in like manner as described of the rollers 38, on the bars 37. The forward end-pon inclined plane, as seen in Fig: 2, and upon the lower surface of said portion is a mostening strip or pad 47, composed of felt or other suitable moisture-absorbing material, the main uwardly-curved portion of the plate 42 being adapted to move rearwardly past the depressed rear end-portions of the bars 35, which form the bed of the machine, thus affording a space for the flan of the envelop, as further described.

Beneath the reciprocating plate 42 and intermediately in rear of the transverse bar 36, supporting the rear ends of the bar 35 is a transversely-extended water-trough 48, which is narrow in width, and having a top an upwardlyplate 49, extending partially over the top,

leaving in the direction of the forward portion of the trough a longitudinal opening 50. The extreme upper portions of the ends of the trough are secured rigidly to the inner surfaces of the track-bars 37, as seen in Fig. 1. ithin the trough 48, and in the ends of said trough and a short distance above the line of the bottom of the trough are j ournaled the ends of a moistening` roller 51, which is covered preferably with an absorbn ent material 52, such as felt. Above the roller 51, and within the slot or opening 50, is a like roller 52X, journaled at its ends in the ends of the trough and covered with an absorbent material 53, this absorbent material 53 being in contact with the absorbent material on the roller 51.

In theJ end of the trough, in the direction of the left-hand side of the frame of the machine, is an open noso or spout 54, which communicates with the inner portion of the trough, and in order to replenish the trough with water, the desired quantity is poured within the spout 54.

In the reciprocation of the plate 42, carrying the felt pad 47, the portion of said pad in the depression 45 moves in contact with the absorbent material 53, on the roller 52,

the water being transmitted from the moistening surface of the roller 51 to the moistened material 53, so that the pad 47 is kept constantly moistened.

The reciprocal movements of the envelopfeeding carriage are afforded by the large,

horizontally/tapositioned wheel 55, having a a boxing, consisting of a downwardly-extended plate 57, and at the lower end of said plate is a rearwardly-extended, horizontal plate 58, through which the lower end of the rotary shaft 56 extends. Between the wheels and the upper surface of the plate 16 is a washer 59.

60 indicates a bevel-gearwheel mounted on shaft 56, the hub 61 bearing against the lower surface of plate 16. 62 indicates a loose sleeve for the shaft 56, its lower end being secured to the upper surface 0f the plate 58. 63 indicates a bevel gearwheel in mesh with the bevel gear wheel 60. This gear wheel is provided with a'shaft 64, which is short in length and extends through an opening 65, in the vertical plate 57, of the boxing, and a short distance beyond the line of the outer surface of said plate. Upon shaft 64 and forming an integral part of the bevel gear wheel 63 is a hub 66, which bears against the inner surface of the plate 57.

67 indicates a knuckle joint, which is secured at one end to the outer end-portion of shaft 64, and with the other end-portion of the joint is connected the rear end of a rotary shaft 69, the other end of which shaft extends forwardly to the upper portion 25, of the bracket 24, and through the opening 25X, and a short distance past the line of the forward surface of which portion 25, and upon said end of the shaft is a bevel gear wheel 70, which meshes with the bevel gear wheel 27, on the main driving shaft 20 (see Fig. 4).

lrVith the upper surface and outer peripheral portion of the wheel 55 is pivotally connected, at 71, the rear end portion of a long pitman 72. This arm extends forwardly beneath the trough 48, and at 73 is bent at an angle andvext-ended upwardly to the horizontal line of the lower surfaces of the bars 39, of the reciprocating carriage, and to a point between said transverse bar, and its extreme forward end connected-,by the pivot 74, with the lower surface 0f the forward bar 39, of the reciprocating envelop-l feeding frame.

Upon the upper surface of the rear transverse bar 39, of the feeding carriage, at points between the stationary bars 35 which form the bed of the machine, are the rearwardly-inclined envelop-feeding blocks 75, and upon the forward, transverse bar 39 are similar rearwardly-inclined blocks 7 6, which are similarly located on the saidbar, Vas upon the rear bar 39, the latter block, however, being out of line with the blocks 7 5.

'7 7 indicates a transverse rod connected at its ends rigidly with the respective forward ends 'of the adjusting plates 78, located on the inner surface of the side plates 12, 12, said-plates 78 having their rear ends pivoted by the pins 82 thereto. Upward extensions from the upper surface and central portions of plates-'78 arebent at right angles at 79, and extendedv outwardly above the upper edge of the side plates 12, 12', immediately in rear of the point V12 (see Fig. 1), at which the sides are increased in height, said bent portions 79 having set screws 80, which bear upon said edge portions of the sides of plates 12, 12, and are adjusted to move the plates 78 upwardly or downwardly Vin the properdegree. Wire springs 81 are connected xedly with the inner surfaces and rear end-portions of plates 78, atone end, and thence extend rearwardly beneath pins 82, supporting the rearends of `said plates, thence in a curved liney upwardly, and the rear ends bentk atright angles and extended at 83 upon theupper edge portions. ofthe side plates 12,12 (see F ig.A 1). The otice of the springs 8-1` is to `draw the. free-ends of the gplates F8 inl a downward direction..`

Upon the rod 77, and spaced apart 4the proper distances from eachother are pivotally connected the upper ends `ofthe finger bars 83, the forward ends ofwhich bars extend forwardlyanddownwardly, and come into contact with the upper surface of the reciprocating pla-te42, supporting the envelops. lVith the inner surfaceof said iinger bars areconnected ixedly one end of a curved spring 84, the other end of which extendsbeneath the rod 7 7 and is fixedly connected with therear portion of the pivoted end of the `finger bar, as seen in Fig. 2. These finger bars are slidable on the rod 7 7,

and are situated sowas to hold the envelop at its opposite ends and prevent its rearward movement, the lower surface of the finger bars 'being inclined upwardly and .rearwardlyto 'the shoulder 83". A short distance forwardly and upwardly- `from the transverse rod 77 is a transverse rod 85, its ends being connected rigidly with the inner surfaces of the side plates 12, 12. Extending around` said rod 85 in the formof a coil are the rigidly-connected rear ends 86, of the envelop-guiding `plates 87. These plates are nearly'of the same width-asthe slats or bars 35, forming the -bed ofthe machine, and extend` forwardly and downwardly upon I the two centrally-located bars 35,V and the second bar inwardly on the-righthand side of the frame of the machine,asseen in Fig. 4, the forward sidevof said bars terminatingl -at a point approximately in a vertical line with the rear surface of the transverse bar 33, supportingthe forward ends of the slats 35. Upon the upper surface and forward ends of the plates 87 is a transverse connectingbar 89, which serves to prevent spreading of the plates. The plates 87 are comparativelytiexible, and prevent the env'elops from crushing onevupon, another, in moving `1n succession on the bed of themachme.

One of the slats forming the bed of the machineon the right-handy side of the frame and adjacent the side-plate 12, is approximately twice the width of the slats 35, and is designated 35X, the forward end of the slat terminating at a point a short distance rearwardly from the line of the rear surface of the transverse bar 33. With the said rear surface of the bar 33, opposite said forward end of the slat 35X, is connected an angle plate 90, the lower portion 91 extending horizontally and rearwardly a short distance beneath the slat 35X, and upon its upper surface is secured the lower coil of a coiled spring 92, the upper coil of the spring coming into contact with the lower surface of `the slat 35X (see Figsi. 2 and 5).

The moistening devices for moistening the upper surfaces of the right-hand portion of the envelops upon which the stamps are subsequently to be affixed, consist of a watertank 93, rectangular in cross-section, and extending in a transverse direction to the franie of the machine, its ends being rigidly connected with the inner surfaces of the plates 12, 12', and the upward extension of said plates in line with the upper surfaces and the portions extending upwardly from the point 12". This tank is supplied with `water through an opening 94, upon the end in the direction of the side plate 12", and which opening is provided with a suitable cover. Leading from the lower portion and forward portion of tank 93, in the direction of the end connected with the side plate 12 is a boxing 95, through which extends a long spigot 96, which controls the discharge of the water from the boxing 95. With the boxing 95 is connected the inner end of a water-tube 97, the other end extending forwardly and downwardly a short distance. Beneath the spout 97, and a short distance above the wide slat 35, is a small boxshaped frame98, having an opening therethrough, and in which frame is a sponge 98', extending a short distance below the bottom of the frame and in contact with the outer surface and right-hand portion of an envelop passing beneath the said frame. This sponge is kept moistened to the proper degrec, from the water supplied from the tube 97. The box-frame is vertically movable, it being secured to the inner surface of a transverse bar 99, upon the inwardly-bent upper end of a vertically-movable bar 99', having a longitudinal slot 99, and a retaining screw 99X within said slot, extending within the side-plate 12, said bar 99 being retained movably within the slot in track plate 37, secured to the inner surface of the sideeplate 12. The lower end of the bar 99' is secured bvl a pivot 98X, within a longitudinal slot 1000, onthe inner end of a long lever 100', which lever is pivoted at 100, near its forward end, to the inner surface of the side plate 12.

Upon the shaft 2O is a cam 20", which which is arranged in a verticalposition be#` tween theside plates 12, 12', at a point a considerable distanceA `in rear of a vertical i line extending through the extreme forward ends of the slats 35, forming the bed of the machine, and approximately in a vertical f line with the forwardends gof the track plates 37, for the' reciprocating carriage.

The end of the plate 102', in' the direction -of the inner surface ofthe sideeplate 12, is

bent at right angles and'a portion 103 is extended rearwardlyashort distance and connected rigidly with said-side plate, at a point approximately equi-distant froin'the upper surface of said track rails to 'theupper surfaceof' the upward' extensions of said sides.

.The other end of the plate 102"extends in 'the direction of theinnersurface o'f theside plate 12', to a point'a slight distance 'in wardly from the gear wheel 23, at which the said end o'f the plate is bent at right angles, and a portion'104' extended rearufardly past the line of the periphery of said wheel, thence bent at lright angles outwardly to the inner surface of the side plate 12', thence bent at right angles and the terminal portion 105 rigidly connected with said' side plate 12'. Upon lthe lower portion and rear surface of the plate 102 is a horizontal ystampsupporting platej106, of' considerable width, the width being approximateto' the bent end portion 103, of the plate 1-02. w

In the plate 102, a short distance inwardly from the bent end portion 103, is' an opening 107, andin the plate 106 is an opening of the saine width as the slat 35X, beneath the inner side 106X of said 'opening being in a vertical plane with the inner, longitudinal surface. Upon the forward surface of the plate 102, at a point a slight distance inwardly from a vertical line extending through the longitudinal inner surface of the slot 35", is a shaft-hanger 108, which is rigidly connected with said plate, in line with its upper surface, and extends forwardly a considerable distance nearly to a line transverse to the inclined end-portion 12O of the side plates 12, 12'.

"109 indicates a rotary shaft, actuating the stamp-feeding and aiiixing device, one end of `which shaft fis journaled. vin the bracket 108, at a point intermediate the plate 102, and the outer end of said bracket, said end of theV shaft extending through Vthe bracket and a short distance `from the line of the outer surface, and upon said end is a small gear-wheel 109x. The other "end of shaft 109 extends from the said bracket 108 on the forward face of the plate 102, and

is journaled in the side-plate 12, of the frame ofthe machine, and upon said end adjacent to the inner surface of the sideplate 12 is loosely mounted a large gearwheel 110,k which meshes with the gearwheel 23, on the main driving shaft 20.

Pivotally connected at 111, at the outer end of bracket 108, adjacent its outer surface, is a U-shaped yoke 112, separated by awa'sher-112X fromthe bracket, the upper arln113 of the' yokel extending rearwardly, and horizontally a short distance, and the lower arm' 114 extending rearwardly, and inclined downwardly with a gradual incline, at' an angley t0 the arm 113. The eXtreme end of the arm 114 extends through the openingy 107, in the transverse plate 102, and through the opening 106", in the plate 106, and the: lower surface extended in a horizo'ntallineat 1,14", the edge 115 forming the cutting edge for separating the stamps from another in the strip,vand moving past the edge106", of -tlie stamp-plate 106, as further explained. j With the outer surface of this arm-A1114 is a laterally-extended plate 116, integral with the arm 114, and which constitutes theJ stamp-aliixing plate. This plate 116 islo'cateddirectly above the yieldingV end-of the slat 35", and upon the lower surfaceof'said platejis firmly secured a thin sheet of rubber 117, of the same width as the plate 116, from the lowerl surface of which rubber-strip extend' downwardly the elasti'cpoints or projections 118.

Upon the rotary's'haft 109, between the arms 113 and! 114 of the yoke 112, is mounted a heart-shaped cani` 120, whereby the reciprocal movementsof the yoke causes the upward' andi downward movement of the stamp-alfxingplate. l

yThe stamp material employed in the invention'consist's of a narrow strip of paper, of indefinite length, upon one surface of which the' stamp' is printed, and upon the other an adhesive substance, such as mucie lage', thev stamp paper being separable by perforationsinto short lengths, correspond ing tothe length ofthe stamp; The strip of stamp material 124 is wound upon a reel 121, which ispivoted at 122, to the rear surface of the'platev 102, ata point a short distance inwardly from the flanged end 103, of the plate 102and in the direction of the upper surface of said plate. Upon the outer portion of the reel a wheel 123.` `The stampmaterial 124, with the transverse perforations'125, in` series, and spaced apart the proper'dis'tance, is wound on the reel, with they adhesivey surface inwardly, the outer o'rfr'eeend' of the stamp extending upon the upper' surface' of the plate 106. Upon the outer surface of the stamp-plate 106, a short distance toward the central portion of the plate is secured a vertical plate 126, which extends upwardly a short distance, and to the inner surface of which plate are pivoted the respective upper and lower guide-rollers 127 and 128, between which the free end of the strip of stamped paper extends.

Upon the rotary shaft 109, a slight distance from a point intermediate the side plates 12, 12', in the direction of the side plate 12, is mounted a bevel gear wheel 128. Extending at right angles to the shaft 109, through the plate 102, adjacent a point equidistant the side plates 12, 12 extends a short rotary shaft 129, upon the forward end of which shaft is a bevel gear wheel 130, which meshes with the bevel gear wheel 128. On the rear end of shaft 109 is a crank arm 131, upon `which is a crank pin 132.

The stamp-feeding devices are supported upon the upper surface of the stamp-plate 106, and consist of stationary, parallel bars 133 and 134, of the requisite length and arranged in a longitudinal direction upon the plate 106, and secured ixedly thereto,

,the bar 133 being approximately close to the rear surface of the plate102, and the bar 134 adj acentthe outer surface of the stampplate 106. A guiding plate 135 is secured to the outer surface of the stamp plate 106, and extends upwardly a short distance and is provided with .an inwardly-extended flange 136. This plate'` extends in length from a point inwardly from the endeportion 106x, of the stamp plate 106, approximately one-third the distance in the direction of the side-plate 12, of the frame of the machine.

Through the rear ends of the bars 133 and 134, extend the ends of a transverse connecting-rod 137. `138 indicates a reciprocating carrier or hood, of the proper length to support the stamp-feeders, the top portion extending approximately in width from a vertical line of the outer surface of the stationary bar 133 to a vertical line with the outer surface of the stationaiy bar 134. The outer longitudinal portions of the top-portion of hood 138 are bent vat right angles at 139, and extend downwardly and rest upon the horizontal sui-faces of the stationary bars 133 and 134. The side portions 139, of the hood, extend the requisite height to permit the top portion 138 to pass beneath the flange 136, in the guiding plate 13,5, and to control said top portion from upward 1novement.

In the side portions 139, of the said hood 138, in a vertical line with the rod 137, is a transverse rod 140, secured rigidly to said sides.v In the rear end and central portion of the top plate of hood 138 is a longitudinal slot 141. 142 indicates, an operating bar, one end of which extends through the slot 141 and is pivotally connected with the rod 140. The other end of bar 142 exltends upwardly in the direction of the crank-arm 131, and is pivotally connected with the crank pin 132.

The stamp-feeders consist of a series of thin plates 143, assembled loosely together between the side plates 139, of the covering plate 138, and adapted numerically to engage a number of the perforations 125, in one transverse row of the stamp material, each plate in the series measuring slightly less than the diameter of each perforation. The front of each plate is analogous to a sca-lene triangle, the lower, outwardly-inclined surface or portion 144 extending beyond the line of the upper surface 145, the surface at the broad end 145 inclining forwardly and downwardly, and meeting at a point, the forward line of the lower surface 144. ,These plates 143 are arranged upon a rod 147, extending through suitable perforations, in the narrow end portions of each plate, the ends of the rod extending through and being connected rigidly with the side portions 139, of the covering plate 138, at a point a short distance forwardly from the ends of the rod 140, the lower, forward pointed ends of the plates 143 engaging with the perforations v125, in the stamp material. Upon thev end portions of rod 147, adjacent the inner surface of the side-plates 139 and bearing against the other plates, are the washers 149, whereby the assembled plates may be held in their proper position in the series adjacent the side plates 139. At a distance forward of the assembled stamp-feeding plates 143, corresponding to the distance between parallel rows of perforations is positioned another series of stamp-feeding plates 150, which are precisely the same as the stamp-feeding plates 143, and assembled on a rod 151, secured at its ends in the side plates 139, in a horizontal line with the ends of the rod 147 This rod is also provided with the washers 152, adjacent the outer plate 139, which are the same as the washers 149, on the rod 147.

As shown, the series of stanip-feeding plates 143 and V150 are in separate groups, separated by washers 147x, 151x, on the respective transverse rods 147 and 151, and between these groups is a longitudinallyfextended stationary bar 153. The rear end portion of the bar 153 is pivotally connected with the transverse connecting-rod to the stationary bars 133 and 134, the lower surface of the bar 153 being nearly in contact with the upper surface of the stamp maite rial 124. The forwardend of the bar, however, extends forwardly and downwardly in advance of the series of stan1pfeeders 150, and travels upon the upper surface of the stamp material or strip, and holds the saine from upward movement.

The mechanism for controlling the movement of the stamp-feeding and stampaliixing `devices during an interval when no envelops are being stamped, consists of a trans versely arranged rock shaft 154, located a short distance above the slats 35, forming the bed of the machine, at a point a short distance rearwardly from the stamp-plate 106. The ends of the shaft 154 are journaled in the respective side plates 12, 12', of t-he frame of the machine. Upon the end of the shaft adjacent the side plate 12 is pivotally secured the rear end of a wide stamp guiding plate 154x, which extends forwardly and downwardly, upon the forward end of the wide slat 35X, adjacent to the stampaftixing plate 116, and is supported by a lug 1540, which bears on the portion 103x, forming the side to the opening in stamp plate 106. The stamp material when it moves outwardly by the action of the stamp feeders conta-cts with the stamp guiding plate 154x.

Upon the shaft 154 are a number of linger bars 156, rigidly secure-d at their upper ends to said shaft, their lower ends extending downwardly in the spaces between the slots 35, of the bed of the machine, a short distance.

Upon'the end of shaft 154, adjacent to the inner surface of the side plate 12, is secured rigidly the lower end of arm 157, its upper' end extending upwardly to within a short distance of the upper surface of the side plate 12', and in said end is a halved portion or notch 158. Upon the inner surface of the side plate 12', of the frame of the machine, in a horizontal line with the upper end of the arm 157, is pivoted at 159, the short end portion of a. horizontal brake bar 160, the rear end of which bar is adapted to enter the notch 158, in the upper end cf said airm. The other portion of the bar face adjacent the pivot 159, is :bent at right angles and extended a short distance inwardly from the line of the side plate 12', thence said bar is aga-in bent at right angles and extended forwardly upon a line with the inner surface of the gear wheel 110, the bar between said bent portion and its forward end being twisted at 161, so as to bring the forward end in horizontal position (see Fig. 1).

Upon the inner surface of the side plate 12', in rear of the arm 157, is secured at 162, a flat spring-plate 163, which bears against the rear surface and upper end of the arm 157, and holds the reair end of the brake-bar within the notch 158.

Upon the rotary shaft 109, a short distance inwardly from the line of the inner surface of the loosely-mounted gear wheel 110 and in line with brake-bar 16() is mounted the clutch-wheel 164, having a hub 165,

upon its inner portion, which is secured Aby a pin 166, to said shaft.

Upon the outer face portion of the clutclr wheel is a wide groove 167, extendingl diametrically through the said wheel, in which groove is a sliding clutch plate 168, one end of which plate extends normally a short distance past the line of the periphery of said wheel, and is curved or rounded at 169.

In the vertical portion of the plate 168 is a longitudinal slot 170, through which slot the shaft 109 extends, and upon which shaft is loosely mounted a sleeve l171. Between said shaft 109 and the end of the slot 170, in the direction of the outwardly-curved end 169, is a spiral spring 172, one end of which spring bears on the sleeve 171, and the other end against the said end of the slot 170.

Upon the outer surface of the clutch-wheel is a circular covering plate 173, covering said slot170', which plate is secured to the clutch-wheel Iby the screws 174. Upon the other end of the clutch-bar 168 to that havingI the curved end 169 is comiected the inner end of a contact pla-te 175, which extends outwardly a short distance. In the plate 173, in the path of the plate 175, is a notch 176, which admits the contact plate 173 therein.

Upon the inner side of the loosely-mounted gear-wheel 110 is a hub 177. This hub extends to within a short distance of the face or covering plate 173, and upon said hub is a radial pin 178, which extends outwardly the proper distance to be engaged by the plate 175, on the clutch plate 162, when the said plate is within the notch 176. The flat, outer end portion of the brake-bar 160 comes into contact with the peripheral portion of the clutch-wheel when the inner end of the bar is in the notch 158, in the upper end of the arm 157, and consequently rotation from the main driving shaft 20 is communicated to the shaft 109. An indicator of the number of stamps used is conveniently applied and operated by the rotary shaft 109. The usual permutation disks, as seen, are contained within a box 180, secured tothe inner surface of the side-plate 12, of the frame of the machine, in line with the upper surface and immediately forward of the transverse plate 102. These permutation disks require no description, being well known, the shaft 181 extending from the box having a small gear-wheel 182. On the forward surface and lower portion of the box is an arm 188 (see Fig. 4), upon the outer end of which arm is a small gear-wheel 183x, which lneshes with the gear-wheel 109x, on the inner end of the rotary shaft 109, and also with the gear-wheel 182.

The rear end portion of the machine is provided witha top plate 184, which extends from a point adjacent the rear ends of the side-plates 12, 12, forwardly to a position in a vertical line with the rear portion of the water trough 48, and in a transverse direction to the frame of the machine from the outer surface of the side-plate 12 to the outer surface of the side-plate 12', the cover being held removably by a set screw 185. Upon the upper surface of this plate 184, a short distance rearwardly from its inner edge and parallel therewith, is a rod or bar 186. This bar is supported at its ends by the short standards 187, 188', o-ne being located adjacent the outer side of the top plate 184, on the right-hand side of the frame of the machine, and the other a short distance inwardly from the side-portion of plate 184, on the left-hand side of the machine.

To the end 106 is secured, in the direction of standard 187, an envelop-holder, for the ends of the envelops which are designed to be stacked upon theforward end-portion of the top-plate 184. This holder consists of a vertical outer plate 188, which extends forwardly parallel with the side-plate 12, to a i position a short distance in rear of the line of the upward extension of the side-plates 12, 12, and a rear or back plate 189, which extends at right angles thereto, and inwardly, the whole plate inclining rearwardly at an angle to the top-plate 184. Upon the rear surface of the plate 189 is `a perforate lug 190, which receives the rod or bar 186. Upon the lower portion of the plate 189, is a flange 191, which is secured to the upper surface of the plate 184 by a screw 192. The other support for the envelop is made precisely the same as the plates 188 and 189, having a side-plate 193, parallel with the plate 188, and a rear back portion 194, of the same width as the back portion or plate 189. These plates 188, 193, however, are adjustable on the plate 184, the back plate 194 having a lug 195, which is slidable upon the rod 186, and a flange 198, in its lower end. In the plate 184 is a transverse slot 199, beneath the flange 198, and an adjusting screw 199 c extends through the flange 198 into the slot 199, thusk enabling the plates 193 and 195, which are integral, to be moved the proper distance from the plates 188, 189, to accommodate envelops ofvarious lengths.

In operation the envelops to which the stamps are to be affixed are stacked upon the forward end-portion of the top plate 184, the ends of the envelops being supported by the side plates 186, 193, and the rear, longitudinal portions of the envelops supported by the back plates 193, 194, of the respective envelop-holders, the flaps being obviously toward the plate 184, in their collective arrangement in the stack, and in a forward direction with respect to the direction of movement from the stack in the direction of the envelop-feeding device.

W'ater is supplied from the tank 93, to the box-frame 98, carrying the sponge 98X, and the sponge moistened sufliciently to moisten the surface of the envelop passing in contact with the sponge. v l

The free end'of the stamped' strip of paper is then drawn from the roll extended between the guide-rollers 127, 129, thence along the surface of the stainp-plate 106, beneath the stationary bar 153, and to a position in which the forward individual stamp in the strip extends beneath the forward series of stamp-feeders 143, the pointed ends engaging with the. series of perforations between said stamp and the stamp in rear thereof. Tater is also supplied to the trough 48, through the spout 54, in sufficient quantity to saturate the covering 52, and lreep the saine in a wet condition.

The position of the brake-bar 160 is as seen in full lines in Fig. 3, the outer end of the bar bearing upon the rounded end 169, of the sliding 4clutch-plate 168, which 1s forced downwardly in the plane of the periphery of the clutch-wheel moving the other end downwardly into the dotted position seen in Fig. 6, compressingthe spring 172, and consequently moving the cutch-plate 175 downwardly from the notch 176, and out of engagement with the pin 178, on the hub of the gear-wheel 110, hence the shaft 109 is at rest, and the wheel 110 is free to rotate with gear-wheel 23, the outer end portions of the finger bars being below the horizontal plane of the slats 35, forming the bed of the machine.

Power is now applied to the handle 22, of the main driving. shaft 20, and from said shaft through the bevel gear wheels 27 and 70, to the shaft 69, thence transmitted through the bevel gear wheels 63 and 60 to the large wheel 55, and from said wheel to the crank-bar 72, and a reciprocating movement is imparted to the envelop-feeding carriage.

The envelops are now fed one at a time from the stack beginning with the lowermost envelop in the stack, which in position is inclined forwardly and downwardly in the path of movement of the upwardly-in clined forward end of the plate 42, and carrying the moistening pad 47, which inclined end of the plate, in the rearward movement of said plate passes in rear of a vertical line extending through the stack of envelops, the pad 46 moving over the mois tening surface 53, of roller 52X, and upon the forward movement of the plate 42, the upwardly-inclined end of Said plate enters between the flap and the adjacent surface of the` envelop, the adhesive surface of the flap coming into contact with the moistened pad 46, and the envelop simultaneously carried forward to a position beneath the fingers 83, which now bear upon thev upper surface of the envelop, and hold the envelop firmly upon the slats 35, forming the bed of the machine, the adjusting rod 77 moving upwardly, and the finger bars bearing upon and preventing rearwardV movement of the envelop. In the completion of this forward movement of the envelop, the envelop comes directly beneath the frame 98, carrying the sponge 98X, which now descends and moistens the upper surface of the envelop upon the right-hand end-portion by the action of the lever 100 and the cam 20X, on the main shaft 20. The superposed guiding plates now act to hold the envelopsin position during the rearward movement of the reciprocating envelop-feeding carriage. In the next forward movement of the reciprocating carriage the envelop-feeding blocks 75 move the envelop from beneath the fingers 83 forwardly, to a position beneath the stampaflixing plate 114", the forward end of the envelop in this movement coming into contact with the linger bars 156, on the rockshaft 154, moving back the arm 157, and releasing :the brake-bar 160, the forward end of which is now forced upwardly by the action of the spring 172, hence the clutch-plate 173 enters the notch 176, and engages with the pin 178, on the hub of the gear-wheel 110, and in readiness to impart rotative movement to the clutch-wheel 164, on the main driving shaft 20, and transmit the same-to the heart-shaped cam 120, on

the shaft 109, actuating the arm 114 and the stamp feeders which move the stamp material in Contact with the stamp guiding plate 153". The arm 114 now descends the edge 115, cutting the stamp and aifixing the same to the envelop upon the moistened surface thereof. Immediately in rear of the first envelop mentioned is another envelop now ready to be ejected from the machine, and other envelops in succession which are brought forward by the reciprocating carriage, the said envelopsholding the fingers 156 above the line of the upper surface of the slats 35, and consequently insuring the connected action of the stamp-aiiixing and sealing devices, which will now be further described, in connection with the movements of shaft 20.

The crank arm or handle 22, on the main drivingshaft 20, being in a downward position, and the reciprocating carriage-frame being at the end of the rearward movement with an envelop from the stack in position to be drawn therefrom, as hereinbefore described, the handle or crank 22 is given a movement outwardly, and thence upwardly in a half-circle of rotation, this action drawing the envelop from the stack and moistening the flap, and moving the upwardly-inclined end of plate 42 carrying the envelop to a position beneath the moistening-sponge 98". The box frame carrying said sponge now descends and the sponge meistens the envelop upon its upper surface, `the envelop being held by the iin* gers 83, which now bear under the desired pressure upon the envelop. In the next half of a circle of rotation the reciprocating carriage moves backwardly to the end of its rearward movement, leaving the envelop in position upon the slats 35, of the bed, while frame 98, carrying the sponge 98X, moves upwardly from the envelop. In the next forward movement of the reciprocating cal'- riage the feeding blocks 75 move the envelop forward to a position beneath the stamp-- affixing plate Ill-l, and adjacent the inner surface of the stamp guiding plate 154x, and in the rearward movement of the reciprocating-carriage the stamp-aiiixing plate descends and cuts olf the stamp and afliXes the same to the envelop, and in the next half-circle of rotation of said crank the envelop-feeding blocks come into contact with the envelop, forcing vthe same between the envelop-feeding rollers 28 and 3l, which are driven by the gear-wheel 23, on the main driving shaft 20, and the flap of the envelop is sealed and the envelop discharged therefrom.

rllhe operation described is continuous and automatic, so long as the envelops continue to hold the fingers 156 in a rearward position, and upon the final discharge of the last envelop to be stamped and sealed from the sealing rollers the fingers 15G fall beneath the slats 35, and the stamp afiixing devices cease to operate.

The adjusting rod maybe raised, if desired, by the set screws to the proper height above the envelop, to cause proper retarding relations of the fingers 23.

I have shown and described an enumerating device for the envelops, yet do not inelude the same in the claims.

The advantage of my stamp-feeders consists in the novel seizure ofthe stamps so as to afford a positive feed in each movement of the actuating mechanism. The pin which is commonly employed upon the stamp feeders when drawn over the stamp material upon a horizontal surface has a tendency to draw upon the material in a reciprocal movement, and frequently causes the stamp material `to crimp, thus displacing the perforated portions. I have found, after repeated trials, that with the present form of stamp-feeding fingers there is no liability of crimping the stamp-material, and the stamp-feeding is positive.

Such modifications may be employed as are within the scope of the appended claims.

AI-Iaving fully described my invention, what I new claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A stamp feeding device for sta-mp aflixing machines comprising a movablecarrier, and a number of independent automatically engaging stamp feeders, mounted upon said"carrier adapted to engage with the perfor-ations in the stamp material, and an auxiliary device for preventing'the upward movement of the stamp material mounted on said carrier and traveling in advance of the stamp feeders.

2. In a stamp-aflixing machine for envelops, the combination with the stampatlixing devices, of a vertically-positioned plate connected at its ends with the sides of said frame, a guiding plate for the strip of stamp material connected with the outer surface of said vertical plate, longitudinal stationary guide-bars supported by said stamp-guiding plate, and a transverse rod connected with the rear ends of said bars, a. reciprocating` hood having` its' sides movable on said longitudinal bars, transverse rods supported by said hood,'and a series of stamp-feeding plates in juxtaposition pivotally connected at their rear ends with said rods and having their forward ends adapted to engage with the stamp material, and a separating device for the collective stampfeeding plates connected pivotally with the transverse rod on the stationary guide-bars and having an outer portion bearing upon the surface of the stampA material.

3. In a stamp-affixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine and the stamp-afliing devices on said frame, of a transverse verticallypositioned plate connected by its ends with the sides of said frame, and a horizontal stamp-plate supported thereby upon which a strip of stamp material is movable in thc direction of the stamp-afliXing devices, a rotary cra.nk-shaft and its arm supported by said vertically-positioned plate, stationary guide-bars extending in the longitudinal direction of and supported by said stamp plate, a transverse rod connected with the. rear ends of said bars, a reciprocating hood having its sides movable on said stationary guide-bars, an outer guiding plate for said hood secured to the outer surface of the stamp-supporting plate, rods connected with the sides of said hood, and stamp engaging devices on said rods adaptcd to engage with and :move the stamp material in the direction of the stamp-atlixing devices, and a reciprocating bar pivotally connected at one end with one of the rods on said hood for the stamp-feeding devices, and at the other end with the said crankarm.

4. In a stamp aixing machine for ernvelops, the combination with the sta-mp affixing devices of a rotary shaft actuating said devices, a power transmitting wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, an envelop feedingrecilnocating carriage, means coperating to actuate said carriage and said power transmitting wheel, a t ansverse rock shaft and linger bars on the rock shaft in the path of movement of the envelops on the reciprocatingl carriage, a clutch wheel, on said rotarl,Y shaft and a spring actuated clutch bar on said wheel, and a clutch plate on the inner llO side of said bar, a pin on the hub of said loosely mounted power transmitting Wheel with which pin the clutch plate is adapted to engage in rotation, a clutch releasing pivoted brake lever, and a spring controlled brake arm, on the rock shaft, adapted to engage with the free end of the brake lever.

5. 1n a stamp afiiXing machine for envelops the combination with the stamp affixing devices of a rotary shaft actuating said devices, a power transmitting wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, an envelop feeding reciprocating carriage, means coperating to actuate said carriage and said power transmitting wheel, a transverse rock shaft, and finger bars on the rock shaft in the path of movement of the envelops on the reciprocating envelop feeding carriage, a clutch wheel on said rotary shaft, and a spring actuated clutch bar on said wheel, and a clutch plate on the inner side of said bar, a pin on the hub of said loosely mounted power transmitting wheel with which pin the clutch plate is adapted to engage in rotation, a clutch releasing pivoted brake lever, and a spring controlled brake arm on the rock shaft having a notch in its outer free end which is brought into engagement with the lower surface and inner end portion of the pivoted brake lever;

6. 1n a stamp-aiiiXing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine, and the main driving shaft, of a driven rotary shaft, an envelop-feeding reciprocating carriage actuated by the main driving shaft, stamp-feeding and stampafiiXing devices actuated by said driven rotary shaft, a loosely-mounted gear-wheel on the end of said driven shaft, and a fixed gearwheel on the main power shaft meshing with said loosely-mounted gear-wheel, a clutchwheel on said driven shaft, and a springactuated clutch-bar on said wheel, and a clutch-plate on the inner side of said bar, a pin on the huh of the said loose gear-wheel, with which pin the clutch-plate is adapted to engage in rotation, a rock-shaft mounted on the sides ofsaid frame, and fingers on said shaft, a brake-lever having a bent inner endportion pivoted to the side of the machine and coperating with said clutch-bar, and a brake-arm on 'the rock-shaft having a notch in its free end portion adapted to engage with the lower surface and inner end of the brake-lever., and a spring on the side of said machine co-acting with the said arm to draw its notched end into engagement with said inner end of the brake-lever.

7. In a stamp-aiiixing machine for envelops, the combination with the bed of the machine, and with a longitudinally-eXtended slat forming a part thereof having a yieldingly-supported forward end-portion, and stamp-athxing devices on said machine movable downwardly upon said yielding suplfd.

port, means for feeding a strip of stamp material upon said yieldingly-supported end of d slat or bar, and a pivoted stamp guidingplate with which the stamp material comes into contact and holds both stamp and envelop in alinement during the application of power applied to compress the envelop and affix the stamp thereto.

8. In a stamp-aiixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine and its bed, and the stamp-separating and aflixing devices, of a reciprocating envelop-feeding carriage-frame movable in the direction of the stamp-feeding and aifixing devices, and an independent envelopguiding frame suspended above the rear portion of said machine at the point of introduction of the envelop and having its forward end in gravity contact with the upper surface of the bed of the machine and adapted to control the movement of said envelops upon said bed.

9. In a stamp-aiiixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine and its bed, composed of longitudinal slats spaced apart, and with the stamp-separating and ailiXing devices, of a reciprocating envelop-feeding carriage movable in the direction of the stamp-aihxing devices, and envelop-feeders thereon movable between said slats comprising the bed of the machine, a transverse rod connected at its ends with the sides of said frame at a suitable height above said bed, and flexible envelop-guiding plates connected at their rear end-portions therewith, and a transverse gravity bar connected with the forward ends.

l0. In a stamp-aiiiXing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine, and the stamp-separating and afliXing devices, of a reciprocating envelopfeeding carri age-frame movable in the direction of the stamp-separating and afiixing devices, envelop-feeding devices carried by said frame, a transverse rod connected with the sides of the frame of the machine, and a transverse vertically-movable gravity rod. means for supporting said rod in its vertical movements, and envelop-controlling devices on said rod adapted to prevent the rearward movement of the envelope in the rearward movement of the reciprocating envelop-feeding carriage.

1l. In a. stamp-aiiixing machine for envolops, the combination with the frame of the machine, and the stamp-separating and aiiiXing devices, of a reciprocating envelopfeeding carriage frame movable in the direction of the stamp-separating and afiiXing devices, envelop-feeding devices carried by said carriage-frame, a transverse verticallymovable rod, and vertically-movable rigidconnections for the ends of said rod on the sides of the frame of said machine, and envelop-controlling inger bars yieldingly mounted on said rod and adapted to prevent the rearmrrd movement of the envelop m the rearward movement ot the envelop-feeding `carriage trame.

l2. In a stamp-aflixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine and the stamp-separating and affiXing devices, of a reciprocating stampfecding carriage-frame upon the frame of said machine movable toward the stamp-separating and afiixing devices, envelop feeders upon said carriage-frame, a transverse-rod upon said machine, supporting-plates rigidly connected with the ends ot' said rod and pivotally connected with the sides oi the frame of said machine, and finger bars yieldingly mounted on said rod and adapted to prevent a rearward movement of the envelops in a rearward movement of the reciprocating envelop-feeding frame.

13. In a stamp-aifixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine, and the stamp-separating and affixing devices, and with a reciprocating stampfeeding carriage-frame movable toward the stamp-separating and aftixing devices, and envelop-t'eeding blocks on said frame, of plates pivotally connected atl their rear ends with the respective sides of said machine, and a transverse rod connected with the forward end-portions thereof', finger bars yieldingly mounted on said rod and adapted to preventl the rearward movement of the envelop in the rearward movement of the envelop-teeding carriage-frame, and means for adjusting the plates supporting said rod in position upon the sides of said machine.

14. In a stamp-afixing. machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine, and the stamp separating and afiixing devices, and with a reciprocating stamp-feeding carriage-frame movable toward the stamp-separating and aftiXing devices, and with envelop-feeding blocks on said carriage-frame, of plates pivotally connected at their rear ends with the sides of the frame of said machine and having parts thereof extending over the upper edge portions of' said sides, and adjusting` screws therein, a transverse rod rigidly connected at its ends with the forward ends of said plates, and finger bars yieldingly connected with said rod and adapted to prevent the rearward movement of the envelops in the rearward movement of the carriage-frame.

l5. In a stamp-affixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine, and the stamp-separating and affix- Gopies of this patent may be obtained for ing devices, and -with envelop-feeding means for feeding the envelop in the direction of said devices, of holding plates for holding the stack .of cnvelops in position, and a transverse rod on said'machine, and standards for the ends of said rod, and means connecting said plates adjust-ably with said rod.

16. In a stamp-aftixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of' the machine. and the stamp-separating and affixing devices, and with feeding means for feeding the envelops in succession to the said devices, of a holder tor the stack of envelops on said 'frame ot the n'iachine, a transverse rod, and suitable standards 'therefor on said frame, adjustable sliding connections connecting said holder with said rod, said holder having rearwardly-extended lower portions adapted to support said holder upon said rod in an 'upright position.

17. In a stamp-afiixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine, and the stamp-separating and aflixing devices, and with the envelop-feeding means for feeding the envelops in succession to the said devices, a transverse plate on the rear end of the sides ot' said machine, and standards thereon, a transverse rod supported at its end in said standards, a holder for the stack of envelops, adjustable connecting devices connecting said holder with said rod, and rearwardly-eXtended fianges on the `lower surface of said holder bearing on the transverse plate upon the rear end of said machine adapted to support the said holder in an upright position.

18. In a st'amp-afiixing machine for envelops, the combination with the frame of the machine, and the stamp-separating and affixing devices, and with the envelop-feeding means for feeding the envelops in succession to said devices, a transverse plate upon the rear end-portion of' the sides of' said machine, and standards thereon, a transverse rod supported at its ends in said standards, upright envelop holding plates for holding a stack of envelops, sliding connecting devices connecting said plates with said rod, said plates having rearwardly-extended flanges upon their lower ends, said transverse supporting plate having a slot therein, and adjustable connecting devicesconnected with the said flanges and said plate and movable in said slot in said plate.

FREDERICK R. S. DITMARS.

Witnesses ROBERT O. MGLIN, ANNIE L. GREEK.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). G. 

